PRESS RELEASE

Washington, DC – The following statement may be attributed to Chuck Hogg, chairman of the Wireless Internet Service Providers Association (www.WISPA.org).

Today, in an opinion piece in the Wall Street Journal, Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai outlines his proposal for a better approach to “net neutrality,” including a repeal of current rules that have created significant uncertainties and compliance burdens for small businesses that provide broadband.

WISPA was pleased to see that, in his op-ed, the chairman cited our research on the cost of the net neutrality rules, which found that more than 80 percent of our members had incurred additional expenses, had delayed or reduced services, and had allocated significant financial and human resources to comply with the current rules.

Let’s be clear: WISPA supports a free and open internet. We also agree that ISPs should clearly disclose the terms of the services they offer to consumers, and we support robust privacy protections for our members’ customers.

However, in comments filed at the FCC in this proceeding, WISPA argued that regulating broadband providers like utilities under Title II of the Communications Act and adopting a vague “general conduct rule” has created uncertainties that have undermined investor confidence, which ultimately affects WISPs’ abilities to provide better service to consumers.

Most U.S. WISPs are small and medium-sized businesses serving rural areas with an average of 10 employees or less. FCC regulations designed to treat all internet providers like large monopoly utilities are taking resources away from investment in under-served areas and diverting them toward lawyers and compliance consultants instead.

We appreciate Chairman Pai’s commitment to right-sizing the current framework; we look forward to reviewing the details of his proposal; and we hope to work with the FCC and other stakeholders to develop regulations and spectrum policies that enhance investment, innovation, and consumer choice, especially in under-served areas.

About WISPA

WISPA is a membership-driven trade association that promotes the development, advancement and unity of the fixed wireless Internet service provider industry. WISPA has over 800 members that support WISPA’s advocacy, education and other collaborative industry initiatives. For more information, visit www.wispa.org.